LG Dishwasher Error HE/AE Leak: How to Fix It

The Logic Verdict

I watched Trim That Weed dissect LG’s AE/HE (E1) leak alarm. The safety float in the base pan tripped because water leaked past the tub. The host pinned the common culprits: too much sudsy detergent, a worn door gasket, clogged spray-arm jets that blast the door seam, or a sticky float switch. By switching to HE detergent, cleaning the spray arms, and replacing a tired seal, the float can drop and the control will clear the code.

What It Means

LG uses AE, E1, or sometimes HE to flag a leak/overflow condition. Water in the base pan lifted the float switch, so the control board cut power to the inlet valve and halted the cycle until the leak path is fixed and the float resets.

Common Causes

• Wrong detergent or overdosing. Regular dish soap foams up, pushes suds through the vent, and drips into the leak tray.
• Flattened door gasket. A cracked seal lets water streak down the inner door and into the base.
• Spray arms clogged or misaligned. If a jet is plugged or the arm hits tall dishes, it can spray directly at the gasket and overwhelm it.
• Float switch stuck. Grease and debris around the float prevents it from returning to the low position even after the leak is gone.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Kill power and dry the base pan. Unplug the dishwasher or trip the breaker. Remove the toe-kick, soak up the water around the float switch with towels, and make sure the float drops.
2. Reset and test. With the float down, plug the machine back in and confirm the code clears long enough for diagnosis.
3. Switch to HE detergent only. Use low-suds dishwasher tablets or powder (no dish soap). Run an empty rinse to purge leftover suds.
4. Inspect/replace the door gasket. Open the door, wipe down the seal, and look for cracks or flat spots. Swap in a new gasket if it doesn’t spring back.
5. Clean the spray arms. Remove each arm, rinse it under hot water, and clear clogged jets with a toothpick or small wire. Reinstall them so they spin freely and aren’t blocked by dishes.
6. Check the float switch. Move the float up and down manually to ensure it clicks and returns smoothly. Clean any residue so it doesn’t stick.
7. Run a leak test. Reinstall the toe panel, start a short cycle, and watch the door corners and base pan. If it stays dry and the float remains down, the HE/AE code should stay cleared.

Parts & Tools

• LG 3920DD3005A door gasket (OEM seal that stops leaks at the door perimeter)
• Finish Quantum HE dishwasher detergent tabs (low-suds detergent to prevent overflow)

Resources